NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Eagles CB Asante Samuel

A name that we're going to hear a lot in regards to trade rumors is Asante Samuel of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer said that there has been a market for Asante Samuel of the Eagles, quoting team general manager Howie Roseman saying the following:

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We [feel] like corner is a position of strength right now...But at the same time, when you talk to teams around the league, you're talking about maybe some positions that you have a strength and maybe that they have a weakness. You try to see if that's a match - whether that's cornerback or anywhere else.

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So, now that we know there's at least a potential for a trade, let's take a look at the most up-to-date rumors being floated around. 

UPDATE: Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. EDT

Mike O'Hara of Fox Sports Detroit is reporting that the Lions are out of the sweepstakes for Samuel. 

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Any buzz that the Detroit Lions are interested in pursuing a deal for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel has been swiftly muted and unplugged.

It apparently rates a zero on the noise meter.

“Not a chance,” a league source with knowledge of the Lions’ interest said Thursday.

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UPDATE: Thursday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m. EDT

On Thursday morning, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reported that the Titans have a slight interest in the Eagles corner:

Thursday, March 29 at 9:41 a.m. ET

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No deal is imminent between the #Eagles and #Titans for CB Asante Samuel, despite a report from CSN Philly last night

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 29, 2012"

Thursday, March 29 at 9:44 a.m. ET

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But the #Titans have lukewarm interest in Samuels at best, and there's no way they'd give up a third round pick for him.

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 29, 2012"

This is a bit of a surprise, as the Titans could certainly use a corner. They lost Cortland Finnegan from the 2011 team and were only a middle-of-the-road pass defense to begin with. 

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer also detailed that the contract issues presented will not stop a deal from taking place:

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Samuel's $9.5 million base salary appears to be a giant obstacle, but the 31-year-old cornerback would not let a possible restructuring of his contract keep a deal from getting done, a source close to the situation said.

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Another team who has expressed interest is the Detroit Lions. That was conformed by Mike O'Hara of Fox Sports Detroit:

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The Detroit Lions have departed the NFL meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., with a buzz that their interest has continued in obtaining cornerback Asante Samuel from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cornerback is a position of need for the Lions. A veteran starter with proven coverage ability would be a good addition to their defense.

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That possibility has one big holdup, which was detailed by Justin Rogers of MLive.com:

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Then there's Samuel. The Eagles continue to shop him around the league, but the market is limited for the 31-year-old cornerback. It's not a talent issue, it's a money issue.

Samuel has two years and more than $21 million remaining on the six-year contract he signed with the Eagles in 2008. He has shown a willingness to restructure his deal, but with the amount of money he's owed, this year ($9.9 million) and next ($11.4 million), that won't help a team like the Lions very much.

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